SHIPSTON-on-Stour continued the perfect start to their Cotswold Hills Cricket League Premier Division title defence.

They dismissed Broadway for 126 but were made to work hard for their win, eventually triumphing by three wickets.

Ex-England bowling coach Dave Saker signed off before becoming head coach of Australian sides Victorian Bushrangers and Melbourne Renegades with a man-of-the-match display.

In eight overs, Saker took 4-14 to reduce the hosts to 36-6 from 15 overs.

Broadway rallied to 126 thanks to Jamie Powell (27), Dave Williams (28) and Martin (29) but Justin Saker ended the innings with 3-10 from just 13 deliveries.

Paul Cross, in his first game of the season, picked up several wickets and skipper Matt Corby was the other successful bowler.

In reply, Corby (22) and Julian Morris (14) cruised to 42 in only eight overs but a collapse saw Shipston crash to 50-4.

It became 80-6 before Marcus Ireland (26 not out) and Cross (18) spared the visitors’ blushes as they won with 127-7.

Bruce Ford (3-30), Richard Pedley (2-38) and Powell (1-41) were Broadway’s wicket-takers.

Meanwhile, Division Two leaders Chipping Campden enjoyed a 10-wicket victory in under three hours at The Bratch against Warwick County Council.

After winning the toss, aggressive, accurate bowling and a few poor shots saw Warwick dismissed for a paltry 57.

Kevin Reason was the pick of the Campden bowlers, claiming four wickets.

The other six were shared equally between Joe Cafearo, Sam Groves and Dan Moore.

Campden chased down the small total easily in reply, with Sam Nicholls (32no) continuing his fine form alongside James Lindner (18no).

They have recorded four consecutive wins and visit Ebrington on Saturday.

Moreton-in-Marsh are fifth in the table after a two-wicket victory over The Lenches.

Fourth-from-bottom Winchcombe lost by 66 runs to Norton Lindsey in Division One.

Bourton Vale are bottom of the West of England Premier League Gloucester Division after a 45-run loss to Gloucester AIW Sports, despite skipper Rob Langley’s 84.

Adlestrop picked up their first win of the season in Cotswold District League Division One, beating NATs by eight wickets after skittling them for 86.